Recipe for success: Award-winning
transitional home offers teens a chance

By Jeff Adair Wednesday, January 15, 2003

FRAMINGHAM -- The staff at a group home for boys in Nobscot
near the Sudbury town line won't accept any excuses for failure.

"I believe excuses are not an option," said Michael Branch, a counselor
who has worked at the home for 11 years. "Just because you come from a
single-parent home shouldn't hold you back."

The 10 teens who live in the home, a transitional facility run by
Brandon Residential Treatment Center, are in the care of the Department of
Social Services, and come from situations of physical or sexual abuse or
neglect.

"We deal with reality with these kids," Branch added. "I try to keep it
real."

As someone who had a hard time as a youth, Branch knows the trials and
tribulations that many of the boys face. He and the 11 other staff members
work hard each day helping the boys, ages 14-18, to deal with their
emotions, gain job skills, and be successful in their academics.

Last month, the Resiliency for Life program at Framingham High School
honored the Nobscot home for being a constructive force for the teens and
an asset to the Framingham community.

As winner of the "Resiliency for Life Award," the residents and their
families dined on a catered meal, and the home received $1,000, a new
PlayStation 2 for the house, and several items that appeared on the boys'
wish lists.

The award "means a lot," said Bob Reid, senior supervisor at Nobscot.
"One, I didn't expect it. It's a reflection of what we're doing well.

"I know this program works well," he added, giving credit to the staff.
"I like these guys. I just like what they bring. They have something to
offer these kids."

Most people, unless they have dealt with troubled youth, don't
understand the importance or value of such programs, said Dr. Tim
Callahan, executive director of Brandon, a residential facility and day
school based in Natick.

"I think Nobscot does a wonderful job working with kids at stage where
they need to complete high school, get a job, manage issues like getting a
driver's license....It goes to show that these kids can be kept and served
in their home communities."

He said the local schools and the community have done a "fantastic
job." He said Framingham is one of the more engaged communities, and is
equipped to help, rather than simply ship kids off to programs elsewhere.

Located on the top of a steep hill next to the Boy Scout camp on Edgell
Road, the large stately home fits in with the neighborhood. If it weren't
for the multiple cars and Brandon center van in the driveway, a visitor
would have a hard time telling it's a group home.

Unlike Brandon's four other off-campus residences, the Nobscot home
serves boys who have been re-integrated into the public schools and the
larger community.

Daily routines

Like a traditional home, the boys have chores -- washing dishes, taking
out the trash, and cleaning the bathroom, for example -- and spend part of
their evenings studying or working.

The teens live with one or two roommates, and can have their own
radios, TVs and VCRs. Each night, the staff makes a room check to ensure
no one has tried to sneak in illegal substances.

The house uses a three-level system that allows the teens more freedom
as they prove they're responsible.

Some of the teens come from foster homes, others come from more
restrictive homes run by Brandon, and others are DSS wards who at 18 plan
to live on their own, or to continue their education at a state college.

Several of the teens attend Framingham High, Keefe Tech or schools in
surrounding communities.

The school has a "real good" relationship with Framingham High staff,
said Reid. Each week, the staff checks with the vice principals and staff
to see how each child is doing.

Outside the school, the Brandon staff also tries to build a rapport
with neighbors -- some of whom, they say, are not thrilled the home is
there -- and with community officials, and businesses.

"We're very proactive," said Reid. "Communication is very big in this
business."

He has heard the typical stereotypes of group homes, that the kids are
all bad and are up to nothing but trouble. There have been cases where
some of the boys have caused trouble, Reid said, recalling an incident a
year ago when a boy stole DVDs from a variety store in Nobscot Plaza.

The owner called Reid and told him he caught the boy on videotape.
However, since staff members had introduced themselves before, the owner
did not press charges and allowed the boy to apologize and pay
restitution.

"We want people to know that we hold these kids accountable and will
not look the other way," he said.

Mentors make difference

Ron Reid, Bob's brother, the person in charge of building business
contacts, said over the years, many employers have hired a number of
youngsters from the Brandon home.

One of the key ingredients to the program's success, said Bob Reid, is
the staff is older and many of the guys have day jobs working as school
teachers, probation officers and in other professions. Many are old
friends who play ball together on a semipro football team in Boston.

"They have something to offer," Reid said. "They're in a mentoring
role."

He said the youth, who are of all races, black, white and Latino,
respect the guys because they can relate to their situations. He said it
also helps that many of the counselors are black.

"With a lot of programs you don't see a lot of black professionals,"
said Reid. "That's a quality that's overlooked."